Why are my gums red around my teeth

Red gums around a tooth usually indicate local inflammation from plaque, but trapped food, trauma, decay, or infection can produce similar redness.

The gum may look red because inflamed blood vessels are closer to the surface and the tissue is swollen.

Plaque at the gingival margin can inflame the surrounding gingiva. Redness limited to one tooth may also reflect a rough filling, food impaction, a cavity near the gumline, a cracked tooth, or an abscess.

Brush the area gently, clean between the teeth, and check for food caught beneath the gum edge. Do not cut, squeeze, or repeatedly probe the red tissue.

Arrange an examination if redness lasts, bleeds, hurts, enlarges, or is associated with pus, a bad taste, tooth sensitivity, looseness, fever, or facial swelling.

Is the redness confined to the gum or connected to the tooth root? Ask whether the filling, gum pocket, tooth nerve, or bite needs testing and whether a radiograph is indicated.